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11 Sept 2009

1984: The Singles Music Charts

Sad Songs (Say So Much)

United States
N. 5 (19 Weeks)

United Kingdom
N. 7 (12 Weeks)

Ireland
N. 2 (6 Weeks)

Canada
N. 4 (25 Weeks)

Australia
N. 4 (19 Weeks)

New Zealand
N. 8 (12 Weeks)

France
N. 17 (18 Weeks)

Germany
N. 18 (16 Weeks)

Austria
N. 4 (12 Weeks)

Switzerland
N. 3 (14 Weeks)

Italy
N. 22 (5 Weeks)

South Africa
N. 5 (10 Weeks)

---------------

Passengers

United Kingdom
N. 5 (11 Weeks)

Ireland
N. 9 (6 Weeks)

Australia
N. 9 (15 Weeks)

New Zealand
N. 38 (1 Weeks)

Switzerland
N. 27 (3 Weeks)

South Africa
N. 15 (7 Weeks)

---------------

Who Wears These Shoes

United States
N. 16 (14 Weeks)

United Kingdom
N. 50 (3 Weeks)

Ireland
N. 11 (4 Weeks)

Canada
N. 37 (13 Weeks)

Australia
N. 76 (11 Weeks)

New Zealand
N. 39 (2 Weeks)

---------------

In Neon

United States
N. 38 (13 Weeks)

Canada
N. 92 (4 Weeks)


---------------

Breaking Hearts (Ain't What It Used To Be)

United Kingdom
N. 59 (3 Weeks)

10 Sept 2009

1984: Albums Reachin' The Charts

Breaking Hearts

United States
N. 20 (34 Weeks)

United Kingdom
N. 2 (23 Weeks)

Canada
N. 10 (30 Weeks)

Australia
N. 1 (32 Weeks)

New Zealand
N. 2 (28 Weeks)

Germany
N. 5 (10 Weeks)

Austria
N. 4 (10 Weeks)

Switzerland
N. 1 (18 Weeks)

Holland
N. 21 (8 Weeks)

Spain
N. 5 (17 Weeks)

Norway
N. 7 (8 Weeks)

Sweden
N. 11 (5 Weeks)

Japan
N. 54 (7 Weeks)

---------------

The Superior Sound Of Elton John (1970-75)

Australia
N. 79 (8 Weeks)

New Zealand
N. 30 (2 Weeks)

9 Sept 2009

1984: Lord Choc Ice's Chronology

February and March

The Too Low For Zero Tour started in New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong. The tour began February 19 in Christchurch, New Zealand and finished on March 31 in Hong Kong, after 24 shows.

February, 14

"Maybe you're still standing but we are all on the fucking floor" was Rod Stewart reaction when he knew the notice. Elton married Renate Blauel in an Anglican church, St. Marks Church, in the Sydney suburb of Darling Point, and it was a traditional white wedding. A hundred of wedding guests were specially flown from Britain and America. Renata, a german sound engineer, met Elton in Montserrat, while recording "Too Low For Zero"'s 1983 album. She had engineered albums before, including "Hysteria" for the Human League and for Croatia Records, the largest major label record label in Croatia. John Reid and Bernie Taupin were their best man. A 100,000 reception at Sebel Town House Hotel followed. A second service was held for John's family members later in England.

February, 19

Linda Woodrow (then Sawford) told the Sunday Mirror about Elton early days when he was Reg Dwight. They had been together for 18 months at the time, Linda was sure she had found the right man for her. After the split, Linda used the interview to say how terrible their relationship had been. "He didn't show much interest in me sexually and didn't pay me very much attention. We didn't have sex very often. But I just thought that was the way it was at the time."

February, 24

A dozen anti-apartheid demonstrators staged a protest outside the Auckland hotel were Elton was staying. They were angry over his decision to perform in 1983 in Sun City, SouthAfrica.

April to Jun


The European Express Tour, included Yugoslavia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Poland. The tour began April 17 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia and finished on June 25 in Birmingham, UK after 50 shows.

April, 05

The Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was Elton's guest at the gig he did in Gdansk, Poland.

April, 19

Elton recorded "Breaking Hearts" album in Montserrat. It was recorded at Air Studios, Montserrat and 301 Studios, Sydney, Australia. "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" was the record's high-charting hit. Another great songs were "In Neon", a pleasant countryish song with lyrics, perhaps a paen to the trappings of fame -or the lack of it- in the shimmering city of Hollywood and "Slow Down Georgie", which described the situation of a friend who's in love with the wrong kind. Credits: Elton John (vocals, keyboards); Davey Johnstone (vocals, guitar); Dee Murray (bass, background vocals) and Nigel Olsson (drums, background vocals).

April, 20

Daily Mirror reported Elton bought a green and white Sydney tram complete with electrodes for his garden of his Windsor home.

May, 19

Elton and his wife Renata went to Wembley Stadium for the Cup Final between Watford FC and Everton FC. During the traditional pre-match ritual of the crowd singing "Abide With Me", Elton burst into tears. Watford finally lost the game 2-0 to Everton: despite dominating possession Everton were unable to carve open many clear-cut openings in the early stages but they made the breakthrough in the 37th minute. One famous banner captured by the cameras said: “Sorry Elton, I Guess That’s Why They Call Us The Blues”. For WATFORD: Steve Sherwood, David Bardsley, Neil Price, Les Taylor (cpt), Steve Terry, Lee Sinnott, Nigel Callaghan, Mo Johnston, George Reilly, Kenny Jackett, John Barnes.

June, 30

"The Summer Of '84 Concert", placed on the Wembley Stadium, London, it was a current festival at that time. Elton was top on the bill, along with, Paul Young, Kool And The Gang, Nik Kershaw and Wang Chung. The concert was broadcast on Radio One.

August, 10

Charity concert in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

August 14

Sasson Industries, an apparel maker, who promoted one leg of Breaking Hearts tour in 1984/1985, rushed onto the air with a $5 million television campaign featuring Elton. The commercial, shot in Australia and recut in New York, was a rock video with Elton warbling that “Sasson’s Say So Much”. The video for the song and the commercial were all but identical except for length and that one line. The promotional campaign of the jeans did not last very long, although a rare and limited edition picture disc of the single was issued by the designer to help further promote his wares.

August to November

60 show North American Breaking Hearts Tour. Fred Mandel (ex-Alice Cooper music director) joins the band. The tour began August 17 in Tempe AZ and finished on November 4 in Worcester MA.

October, 11

Elton cancelled the sell-out concert in Charlotte, North Carolina, after collapsing in his dressing room. A virus afection was diagnosed.

December, 14

On the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Elton presented the 1984 award to Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean. It was the first time it has been awarded jointly to more than one person. At the 1984 Winter Olympics the pair became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time (for a single programme) receiving twelve perfect 6.0s, including artistic impression scores of 6.0 from every judge.

December, 31

Catherine Britt was born and raised in Newcastle on Australia's eastern coast, where she fell under the spell of country music while still a young child.

5 Sept 2009

Third Year Opener With... Laura Taylor!!!!

Hello Dear Eltonites!!! I am pleased to invite you to the third season of AllSongsLIst!!! This season come with a lot of news, changes, and so on. With will have time to explain it. I would like to open the season, as always in fact, with an Eltonite's Day. Eltonites are very important for me, so I thought it would be nice to invite one of us to be the opener of the season. Well, here, on my side, a true eltonite. She's a sweet person, she joined on elton's community fans in the 90s. Please, everyone, an applause to: Laura Taylor!!!!

First of all… Could you tell us, more, who are you and where are you from?

My name is Laura Taylor, I live in a town just outside Edinburgh called Kirkcaldy.

Thank you! And when you became an Eltonite? Remember the first time you heard Elton's music and what moves you to buy his music?

I think it was when I was about 9 when the Lion King film came out hehe and I overplayed Can You Feel The Love Tonight. When I grew up I got heavily into artists who played around the 60s-the end of the 70s, mostly Elton and David Bowie.

Perfect! What was it like seeing Elton for the first time and how many concerts have you been? And also, could you tell us if you ever have been in touch with him, get a signed autograph or even, speak with him or with other member of his band?

I've only been to one concert so far, it was for my mum's birthday. It was amazing. My sister, stepsister and mum all went in pink wigs and Elton T-shirts that I made, during the concert he said 'love the pink wigs girls'. I immediately texted everyone I know! I felt so famous! And everyone at the concert came up and took our photos, so did the Elton John photographer and the local news photographer.

Great!!! Which could be a great set list, in your opinion? Is there any song that Elton hasn’t played yet, and you think that he should do it? And you prefer the Elton’s solo tours or better with band? With the same musicians as his current band or you miss someone of the past?

Any set list that had the songs 'Tiny Dancer' because I absolutely love that song and like to think of myself as a tiny dancer hehe. I like a lot of his early work, I love all his songs so it's hard to choose. I love the fact that when I went to see him he didn't take a break halfway through. That is true staying power! it was like 3 or 4 solid hours!

Do you like duets, or prefer an Elton “Duet For One”? In that case, which song and which partner have Elton to duet with? Which Duet have not to be happened? Do you detested anyone?

I'd love if he did an album with David Bowie, but I might actually explode with joy if that ever happened!

How it was, and still is, the success of Elton in your country? Which have been his hits in sales terms? And which are Scottish's favorite Elton's albums or songs? And could you still hear Elton's music in the radio, nowadays?

I think he is huge in Scotland and the whole of the UK really. But maybe I just think that cause I like him!

OK! What do you think about next step Elton should do? Recording an album with new material? Doing more musicals?

Bring out lots of new songs and keep doing what hes doing!

Exactly! Which is your Elton's item that you really appreciate, for being hard to get or for the happiness you've got to have it?

I love any old vinyl records of Elton :)

Finally, could you tell me your five favourite Elton John's songs in running order, for my AllSongsList, please?

Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (cause its the name of my dog hehe)
Tiny Dancer
Skyline Pigeon

Thank you. Would you want to add some observation or suggestion, or something you want to say to other eltonites?

Elton rules!
xx

Yes, he rules. Thank you very much Laura. I really enjoyed this interview with you. Thanks for sharing your time with us. Take care!!

3 Sept 2009

Guy Babylon (Dec. 20, 1956-Sept. 2, 2009)

Guy died in Los Angeles on Wednesday, September 2, where he suffered a heart attack while swimming in the pool. "He was one of the most brilliant musicians I ever knew, a true genius, a gentle angel - and I loved him so much" said Elton when he heard the tragic news, as eltonjohn.com explained. Bernie, also in his website, sent out words and prayers to Babylon's family, remarking his "warm and gracious presence in any room he entered".

Highly respected in his field, Guy composed music for radio, TV and cable shows, doing demo work for bands and songwriters, and putting together a home studio in North Hollywood. He also won a Grammy Award in 2001 for his work arranging the stage musical Aida, by Elton and Tim Rice.

When I have the opportunity to interview Jan Kemp, the owner of the fantastic website about Guy Babylon, www.guybabylonfan.net, last 8th June, 2008, she explained us how Babylon was introduced in Elton John Band: "As Guy has told it, when Davey was producing a band called Jace, which Guy had previously worked with. The band had asked Davey if it was alright to invite Guy to play keyboards on the session and Davey said yes. Per Guy, he and Davey got on well during the session, but he didn't talk to him after that, until about a year or so later when Davey called to ask Guy if he would be interested in doing some live stuff with Elton. As Guy often says, his motto is to always be ready for anything, so he jumped at the chance."

Guy also created musical intros to some of the tour's opening numbers, including Bennie And The Jets (1989), Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, (1992) and Pinball Wizard (1993), and reinterpreted the synthesizer intro to Funeral For A Friend for the live shows.

"He usually stays in the background but he is a huge talent and definitely deserves some recognition" added Jan. Without question, he has the recognition of the eltonite community, I am sure.

Now "Song For Guy" takes another sense. Rest in peace, Guy Babylon. I will never ever forget you. My deep condolences to his family; to Kathy, his wife; his parents and his loving children.

BiteUrLip's Analysis Of The List

If you haven't noticed, Elton's concert set lists actually look a lot similar to this one that you do - now let me analyze these songs:

# 001. Your Song - the most remembered classic because of the lyrics. Highest EJ position in RS Magazine 500 Best Songs Of All-Time list.

# 002. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - it is a bit weird that this song is so high on the list. It was a number one, but still many songs have been more succesfull than this (CITW most notably).

# 003. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - the cover version must raise the position of this song, somehow I've never liked this REALLY much.

# 004. Daniel - one of his best ballads, a melodic masterpiece that definitely deserves to be in the top 5.

# 005. Candle In The Wind - if CITW1997 would be counted as the same song, this would be number one.

# 006. Rocket Man - should be somewhere higher.

# 007. Crocodile Rock - one of his most-played hits, this is a childish song but everyone (ok, not quite all) love it. :=)

# 008. Bennie And The Jets - weirdo, best versions are from the seventies with EJ falsetto (like H&T)

# 009. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) - the best-known EJ rocker, for sure deserves it's place.

# 010. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - overrated one.

# 011. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - one of the best songs from the eighties, is rightfully here.

# 012. Sacrifice - a track which probably presents the 2nd best EJ vocals ever.

# 013. Don't Go Breaking My Heart - probably the most "fashionable" EJ song nowadays.

# 014. I'm Still Standing - one of the best songs from the eighties, but too high on this list.

# 015. Someone Saved My Life Tonight - should be in the top ten.

# 016. Can You Feel The Love Tonight - beautiful but makes tired.

# 017. Philadelphia Freedom - should be in the top ten.

# 018. Nikita - one of the best songs from the eighties, deserves to be here I think.

# 019. The Bitch Is Back - one of the best rockers, should be higher.

# 020. Blue Eyes - the track which presents the best EJ vocals ever. Too high.

# 021. Honky Cat - somewhat deserves to be here I think.

# 022. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - again one of the best songs from the eighties, works really well in ONO so deserves it's place.

# 023. The One - one of the strongest ones, has a deserved place.

# 024. Tiny Dancer - another classic that really deserves it's place here.

# 025. Something About The Way You Look Tonight - an overrated one.

# 026. Song For Guy - overrated.

# 027. Circle Of Life - better than CYFTLT so should be higher on the list.

# 028. I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That - deserves it's place here I think.

# 029. Believe - a bit overrated, but only a bit.

# 030. Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding - finally one non-hit, gives a serious clue that might be the best song (FFAF).

# 031. Border Song - as it includes the best lyrics EJ has himself written, it deserves it's place here.

# 032. Take Me To The Pilot - somewhat overrated.

by BiteUrLip

5 Aug 2009

The Lists Of The List By Categories (I): Song For Guy

Song For Guy:
Number 26 In AllSongsList, 639.750 points

US Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 98
Canada Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 34
UK Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 16
Ireland Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 26
France Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 6
Germany Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 19
Austria Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 26
Italy Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 14
Switzerland Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 27
Spain Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 16
Norway Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 22
Sweden Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 15
Japan Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 26
Australia Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 10
New Zeland Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 18
Brazil Singles & Albums Music Charts. Top 34
Southafrica Singles & Albums Music Charts
. Top 34

Single Category. Top 10
Albums Category. Top 28
Video (DVD) Category. Top 26
Cover Category. Top 17
Live Category. Top 36
Others Category. Top 34

4 Aug 2009

The Lists Of The List (I): Elton's Versions

35. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
36. Pinball Wizard
50. True Love
59. That's What Friends Are For
87. The Show Must Go On

94. Love Song
118. I Saw Her Standing There
136. Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
155. Teardrops
178. Stan

199. Love Letters
204. Born To Lose
206. I'm Your Puppet
213. Shakey Ground
294. Honky Tonk Women


325. Whole Lotta Shakin'
332. Great Balls Of Fire
335. Makin' Whoopee
341. Get Back
343. Twist And Shout

345. Chapel Of Love
349. But Not For Me
352. Johnny B. Goode
364. My Baby Left Me
367. Rags To Riches

31 Jul 2009

The List: From Top 1 To Top 50 (I)

Since 1984 when I started compilating the AllSongsList, it always has been a rivalry between the first and second positions: that's between "Your Song" (1.747.130 points) and "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" (1.744.330 points). "Your Song" wins in the following categories: Singles (17.000 p.), Albums (87.750 p.), Videos (25.350 p.) appearances, and specially, Covers (97.700 p.), Live (341.500 p., the song most played live) and the favourite of Eltonites (375.855 p.). But "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" wins in the categories of Charts around the world, being more succesful in sales terms than "Your Song", specially since 1991, with George Michael and Elton's duet.

There's no discussion that the 1973 era has been the more succesful for Elton, because 6 of the top 10 songs are from there: "Daniel" (1.362.340 p.), "Candle In The Wind" (1.360.275 p.), "Crocodile Rock" (1.254.570 p.), "Bennie And The Jets" (1.184.865 p.), "Saturday Night's Alright" (1.121.105 p.) and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1.088.575 p.).

If "Candle In The Wind" in the AllSongsList is number 5, in the Eltonites category is number 3 with 268.905 points. Also, it's the second more succesful song in the Spain and Norway Music Charts category. "Bennie And The Jets" peaks the second position in the US Music Charts category (190.340 p.), but it hadn't been a hit in England. "Saturday Night's Alright" is one of the songs most played life since it was premiered live (239.900 p.). "Crocodile Rock" did well in Music Charts around the world and became a big hit in Japan (20,925 p.) and Australia (84.065 p.), apart from U.S. (170.810 p.).

"Rocket Man" (1.344.195 p.) and "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" (1.430.430 p.) completed the Top 10, both being great hits in music charts around the world, always on the set lists til they were released (not missing any of the Tours since).

First songs of the 80s in AllSongsList is on number 11, and it's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" (1.048.365 p.). Although "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (960.565 p.) is number 9 in Eltonites preferences (206.110 p.), it's out of the Top 10 in the AllSongsList.

Other cases, "Take Me To The Pilot" (446.475 p.) is one of the more covered songs by Elton (20.500 p.) and "Levon" (370.060 p.) has good results in the Live category (121.750 p.) for being one of the most played songs live. "Candle In The Wind 1997", with only 850 p. in the Live category, is peaks Top 33 for being one of the more sold singles of Elton's Catalog, with good results in U.S. (67.650 p.), England (40.375 p.) and Australia (30.510 p.). Also to highlight "I'm Still Standing" (943.675 p.) with good results in France Music Charts category (50.025 p.), beside "Song For Guy" with 48.800 p. there; "Nikita" (784.155 p.) doing well in Germany Music Charts category (43.250 p.); "The One" (709.000 p.) with good results in Italy (34.625 p.) and "Border Song" (447.705 p.), a top 5 in Japan (17.615 p.).

26 songs of AllSongsList are from the 70s, with the whole Top 10; 11 songs are from the 80s, 12 from the 90s and only one song from the 00s. All Top 50 has been released as a single.

(To be continued. You could post your thoughts or questions on the comments section. Thanks)

23 Jul 2009

Elton John In Austrian Charts

Top 1

Something about the way you look tonight / Candle in the wind

Top 2

Don't let the sun go down on me / I Believe

Top 3

Ghetto Gospel feat. Indian sunset / Thugs get lonely too

Nikita / The man who never died

Top 4

Sorry seems to be the hardest word / Sweet thing

Can you feel the love tonight / Can you feel the love tonight (instrumental)

Sad songs / A simple man

Top 6

I don't wanna go on with you like that / Rope around a fool

Crocodile Rock / Elderberry wine

Top 8

Don't Go Breaking My Heart / Snow queen

Top 10

Healing hands / Dancing in the end zone

22 Jul 2009

Famous Austrian Eltonites


Anton "Toni" Polster was born March 10, 1964 in Vienna. He is a former Austrian football (soccer) striker,the all-time leading goalscorer for Austria and the singer of the austrian band Achtung Liebe. Polster made his professional league debut in August 1982 with the Austria Wien team , at 18 years of age. He won three league titles and the domestic cup before moving abroad to play a season for italian team Torino and spanish team Sevilla FC, among others. Polster was chosen in Austria's Team of the Century in 2001.

Last year, along with austrian football legends Hansi Krankl and Herbert Prohaska, he joined up with Gyula Harangozo the director of ballet at the Viennese State Opera and the Volksopera and Josef Metzger the Press Sports journalist to create the Ball Artist Association (Ball-Künstler Verein) with the aim of emphasising the connection between sport and culture.

18 Jul 2009

The Story Behind "Dove Of Peace"

On Sacha Baron Cohen's last movie, Bruno, he is a gay fashionista who is the host of the top-rated late night fashion show in any German-speaking country… apart from Germany. His mission is to become the biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler, and his strategy is to crisscross the globe in the hopes of finding fame and love. Not only this, also Bruno attempts to seduce a onetime presidential hopeful, adopts a black African baby and provokes a near riot at a caged boxing bout in Texas.

Over the closing credits, Bruno releases a brilliantly cheesy but subversive single, "Dove Of Peace" which mocks the charitable concern of Band Aid, and he invites celebrities like Bono (from U2), Elton John (playing also the piano), Snoop Dogg, Chris Martin (from Coldplay), Sting (from The Police) and guitarist Slash from Guns n' Roses. The track had already been part-recorded in the legendary Abbey Road Studios. "Chris Martin was in stitches throughout the recording and only just managed to get his lines out," a source told the Mirror.

Lyrics:

"I've written a song
that I hope is gonna bring the world together
Put down your guns and bombs
and just make love forever (Okay then)

He's come to heal the world
and make our nations calm down
I am the Austrian Jesus
He is the white Obama (He's the white Obama)

War's just based on hate and fear
Stop fighting North and South Korea

You're both basically Chinese

He's Brüno, dove of peace
Ey yo Brüno, where the bitches at?
You are Brüno, dove of peace
You're a fashion model, you got the cute hoes
You are Brüno, dove of peace
(No I love black guys, I'm a chocoholic)
Du bist Brüno, dove of peace

I have a dream for the Third World: clean water, food and teaching
In every village and every town, a place for anal bleeching

We need to rid the world of hunger
I'm just like Bono except much younger
He is only nineteen
Ich bin Brüno, dove of peace

Ey ey, he gay, he gay
Okay
"

15 Jul 2009

Famous Utahnians Eltonites

Jewel Kilcher was born May 23, 1974 in Payson, Utah. Jewel grew up on an 800-acre homestead with her parents and two brothers. They had little in the way of modern conveniences; there was no television and the bathroom was an outhouse. She spent much of her free time writing in her journal, writing poems, and singing. At age six, she began singing with her parents in dinner shows in local hotels. Jewel never had a single guitar lesson. She taught herself, and watched other people who showed her a chord or two or a riff. At 15 she applied to a fine arts school in Michigan, called Interlochen, and was accepted on a partial scholarship. Soon she started performing at the Innerchange, a coffee shop in South Beach around 1993. Jewel was signed to Atlantic Records close to her 19th birthday. Her first record, a deeply introspective, live, voice-and-acoustic-guitar, modern folk collection called Pieces of You, sold about 3000 copies, nearly all in San Diego. Her debut poetry collection in 1998, A Night Without Armor, quickly became a mainstay of The New York Times bestseller list, with 29 printings and a remarkable million-plus copies sold. She has received three Grammy Award nominations and has sold twenty-seven million albums worldwide, and almost twenty million in the United States alone. Jewel was among the famous fans who attended Elton's Madison Square Garden Birthday.